Larry J. Rector

Member

Biography

Larry Rector has focused his more than 35 years of practice in the area of labor and employment law. In addition to client counseling, Mr. Rector has an active trial and appellate practice. He serves as Assistant General Counsel and Loss Prevention Partner to the Firm and serves on several of its Committees. In 2023, Mr. Rector was appointed the Honorary Consul General of Japan in West Virginia by Ambassador Mikio Mori of the Consulate General Office in New York. Mr. Rector’s appointment was confirmed by the U.S. Department of State on October 31, 2023. Mr. Rector’s duties include promoting and protecting the interests of Japan and Japanese residents in West Virginia and fostering increased business activities and cultural exchanges between the state and Japan.

Biggest Regret: Not attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.

Japanese Bio Translation 日本語略歴翻訳

Representative Experience

Obtained Defense Verdict in a class/collective action litigation involving a nationwide class asserting claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act
Negotiated pre-suit settlements for clients in sensitive employment matters
Assisted clients in Department of Labor/OSHA investigations
Drafted employment policies and handbooks
Drafted and revised policies for faculty, staff, and student handbooks for colleges and universities
Handled numerous FLSA/Wage and Hour issues, including class actions, for clients both in litigation and in the investigative stage by the Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division
Defended discrimination claims of race, gender, age, disability, and national origin as well as retaliation claims in state and federal courts, as well as claims brought before the EEOC and state human rights agencies in West Virginia, Texas and Washington State
Counseled employers on a variety of state and federal employment laws, including the ADA, PWFA, FMLA, USERRA, FLSA, OWBPA, and WARN
Assisted several clients in planning and implementing large scale voluntary and involuntary reductions in force
Argued several appeals before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Secured Defense Verdict in a jury trial for Regional Hospital involving wrongful discharge, breach of contract and West Virginia Wage Payment and Collection Act Claims
Attained verdict for construction company in federal court trial where company disputed the validity of a collective bargaining agreement with a local trade union and asserting fraud by the union
Defended a national industrial cleaning enterprise in a “bet the company” collective action under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Tried the case to a jury and obtained a complete defense verdict

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Licensed In

West Virginia
Texas

Education

J.D. University of Nebraska College of Law

B.A. Morningside College

Memberships

Honorary Consul General of Japan in West Virginia, Government of Japan (2023-Present)
Fellow, West Virginia Bar Foundation (2023-Present)
Editor, West Virginia Employment Law Letter (1995-2023)
Graduate, FBI Citizens Academy (2022)
Registered Lobbyist, West Virginia
JAG Officer, United States Army Reserves and Nebraska National Guard (Retired)
West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Harrison County Chamber of Commerce
Employment Lawyer of the Year in West Virginia, Corporate INTL (2017)
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
West Virginia Member, National Employers Counsel Network
Leadership West Virginia (2009)
Leadership Harrison (2002)
Charter Member, Wage & Hour Defense Institute
Former Board Member, Harrison County Bar Association
Executive Editor, Nebraska Law Review
National Moot Court Team, University of Nebraska
Board of Directors; General Counsel, Mountaineer Area Council of Boy Scouts of America
Former Co-Coach, West Virginia University National Moot Court Team
Former Board Member, Allohak Council, Boy Scouts of America
Former Board Member, Prickett’s Fort Memorial Foundation
Former Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 40, BSA

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Achievements

The Best Lawyers in America®, Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2011-Present), Employment Law – Management (2011-Present), Labor Law – Management (2011-Present), Litigation – Labor and Employment (2011-Present)
Council Key 3 Award, Mountaineer Area Council, BSA (2024)
Super Lawyers®, Employment Litigation, Employment & Labor Law, Civil Litigation, Bridgeport, WV (2007-2021)
Best Lawyers® 2021 Morgantown, WV Labor Law – Management, Lawyer of the Year
Best Lawyers® 2020 Morgantown, WV Employment Law – Management, Lawyer of the Year
Best Lawyers® 2018 Morgantown, WV Labor Law – Management, Lawyer of the Year
The Order of the Coif, University of Nebraska College of Law
Silver Beaver Award, Boy Scouts of America

Speaking Engagements

“West Virginia Drug Testing Programs” (2017)
“The Sarbanes-Oxley Act: A Parent Corporation’s Duty to Disclose Safety and Environmental Issues Related to Its Subsidiaries, and How the Internal Controls Necessary to Carry Out That Duty May Expose a Parent Corporation to Liability for the Torts of Its Subsidiaries,” The Energy & Mineral Law Foundation (January 2007)
Frequent Speaker, Topics in Labor & Employment Law and Workplace Safety, Professional Organizations
Lecturer, West Virginia University College of Law

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